Baby K'Tan SmartGear Diaper Bag #babygear #review

Recently, I had the pleasure of taking the brand spanking new Baby K'Tan SmartGear Diaper Bag for a test run and boy, did we put it to the test! From spilling bottles to needing to feed solids on the go, even blow outs and wardrobe changes, this diaper bag stood up to the challenge!

Let's talk about the intuitive design, shall we? First and foremost, there are some really awesome pockets on the outside to store things like your cellphone, bottles, and things that you may need to gain access to really quickly like face and nose wipes, hats, soothers. I love pockets that are easy access, and these ones are great as you aren't fiddling with snaps or zippers. Just reach in and get what you need! The cell phone pocket on the side is secure, which gives peace of mind, and the bottle pocket on the opposite side is mesh with an elasticized top, making it perfect for all bottle types and shapes.

Inside, there are two pockets that have an antibacterial lining, which is great for diapers and wipes. There are also pockets with elasticized tops, perfect for an extra change of clothes, bibs, spoons, socks, toys, teethers and so much more. The central space I used for larger items to keep our baby happy when we are out and about - linking rings, larger teething toys, books.

The diaper bag also features a very large, zippered antibacterial lined and waterproof wet bag. Seriously....this is amazing. For any mom who has dealt with a blowout at the mall or particularly stinky or wet diaper at a playdate, this is a lifesaver. Just toss everything in the wetbag, and seal it up until you get home. No more moments of thinking oh shoot! I forgot a plastic bag! because really...who remembers to put a plastic bag in their diaper bag for such emergencies?!

On the back of the bag there is a space for your change pad, with a magnetic snap to keep it secure.

The shoulder strap is incredibly comfortable and padded, and there are built in loops for hanging from your stroller. As pictured, I put our diaper bag on our simple umbrella stroller and found that there was no tipping. This was something that really stood out to me as I have had at least two other diaper bags that are so heavy in their construction that even when not full, they make the stroller too back heavy and lead to it tipping backwards.

If you are looking for a new, streamlined diaper bag, I definitely recommend the Baby K'Tan SmartGear Diaper Bag. It is functional, trendy and quite simply, the smartest diaper bag I have owned to date. (that's five years in mom years!)

Disclaimer: I was provided the Baby K'Tan SmartGear Diaper Bag by Baby K'Tan for the purposes of this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Brave Mom: Facing and Overcoming Your Real Mom Fears #review

Fear. It's something that can be absolutely crippling for a new (or new again) mom. The doubt that creeps into the dark corners of your mind.

Am I feeding her right?
What if I'm not playing with him enough?
What if I sleep through the baby crying?

In Sherry Surratt's new book, Brave Mom: Facing and Overcoming Your Real Mom Fears, all of these things are discussed.

Do you ever feel lost? Like...ok, now I'm Owen and Graeme's mom...is that it? Do I cease to be...me? What about fearing for your baby's safety? Are you bushing their tender gums and new teeth often enough? Introducing solids at the right time? Rear facing or forward facing?

We have oh so much to worry about as parents. Surratt looks at these fears in her book, and identifies that by being brave , and giving our children a role model who is real...who messes up and worries over the smallest things...we are giving them the best of ourselves and the best gift ever.

It's funny. When I was reading my copy of Brave Mom, I was considering how I talk with my doula clients about their fears. In particular, the search for perfect that Surratt talks about...so elusive, and yet we as women and as moms struggle with it on a daily basis (me included!). I find that alot of my doula clients, in the first week or so, hugely struggle with this and have super high expectations on themselves.

Those expectations feed into the fear, and the cycle starts.

What if, instead of being afraid and of being worried that we aren't enough for our children, we start being brave? We vocalize those fears, give them a life, and face them?

What if we weren't afraid to fall in front of people? To walk out of the house with spit up on our shoulder, mascara under our eye and our bra strap hanging out of our shirt?

What if we started being Brave Mom's?

So what are you afraid of? I am afraid of losing myself and ceasing to recognize that shining face in the mirror. I'm afraid of the loss of identity that happens when you become a mom, because I am so much more than just Owen and Graeme's mom (though, that's a pretty great thing to be, too).

I am afraid of the broken hearts they will get eventually, the tears and the fights.
I am afraid of them being bullied and cornered when I'm not there to protect them.
I am afraid of the day when they won't need me anymore, and how much that will hurt.

What are you afraid of? Give it a voice, write it in the comments, then let it go.

If you are in need of a little encouragement, and permission to face your mom fears so that you can be brave, I highly recommend that you read Brave Mom: Facing and Overcoming Your Real Mom Fears. You may just learn something about yourself that you never knew before!

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of Brave Mom: Facing and Overcoming Your Real Mom Fears from the publisher for the purposes of this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Shaidee Sun Cover #review #babygear

Having a summer baby means one thing: they're bound to be out in the sun as you try and soak up some vitamin D and live your life. That also means that they need to be protected from the suns harmful and powerful rays, but how do you do that when they are oh so little?

Introducing the innovative Shaidee Sun Cover! I had the opportunity this past weekend to try the sun cover while we were out at the LPGA Canadian Pacific Womens Open, and it was perfect for keeping the sun off of our little guy.

It's super easy to use; just fold the flap against your chest, and attach the straps around your back. It's compatible with every type of carrier. This weekend, I used it with both my Baby K'Tan and my Solly Baby Wrap, and we even tried it on my husband in the Snugli.

The Shaidee Sun Cover is wind resistant, lightweight, machine washable and comes in a one size fits all sizing so that anyone can use it when they are babywearing. It also rolls neatly into its storage bag, which makes it great for keeping in the car or for travel.

Knowing that we will be in Florida at some point in the winter, it's comforting to know that I can toss this in our travel bag when we are off to Disney, and pop it over Graeme when he's in the carrier to make sure he is safe and protected, and not overheating. The Shaidee not only protects them from sunburns, but also keeps them cool and shaded.

To learn more about this innovative piece of baby gear, check out Shaidee online!

New Year New Me...Sweaty Bands!

What does a runner do when their bangs are growing out {badly needing a cut} and getting stuck to their forehead with sweat during these hot nights of running?

They get Sweaty Bands!

I cannot gush about how much I love these amazing headbands for women who run. First and foremost, they stay in place. Like seriously...no joking about this at all. They actually stay where you put them before going out and getting all sweaty.With help from the moisture wicking velvet underside, these babies stay in place!

They come in all of these trendy, funky and cool patterns. I LOVE how chic they are, and yes, looking good while I'm running is important {I even match my socks to the colour of my top...}. Florals, animal prints, prints with bling, stripes and polka dots. Literally every pattern you could want, and solids too! Thick, thin...whatever you need, you will find a Sweaty Band for it!

You can even create a custom Sweaty Bands headband with your logo, team or other insignia to set you apart from the pack!

Where can you find Sweaty Bands? Tonnes of yoga studios and boutiques across the USA and even department stores like Nordstrom {with shipping to Canada! Holla!} Use their interactive map to find the location nearest you!

*Disclaimer: I received a pair of Sweaty Bands, the #1 headband for runners, for the purposes of this review and post. All views and opinions expressed are my own.